13 I AM truly blessed to launch my first non-profit organisation, Chicken Coop Caribbean. With guidance from Lighthouse Baptist Church and support from partners, sponsors, and donors, we have created a Christian-based programme to assist struggling Caribbean farmers of faith. Our mission is to transform them into self-sufficient entrepreneurs through backyard poultry farming. Committed to raising J$6 million over the next two years, we have begun serving farmers in Jamaica and Grenada, providing 50 chicks, 10 bags of feed, and essential resources. Today, Chicken Coop Caribbean proudly supports 32 farmers and 15 churches, epitomising brotherly love and empowering the marginalised through God’s grace. Contact: 516-428-8672, chickencoopcaribbean@gmail.com Janice Julian Founder, programme administrator Chicken Coop Caribbean CHRISTINE EVADNEY Marzouca is an accomplished community advocate whose influence spans healthcare, cultural preservation, and community service. As the first Caribbean representative appointed as a community patient navigator for a Komen-funded initiative, she has championed the fight against triple negative breast cancer within African- American and Caribbean communities. Her dedication to public health was recognised in an abstract submitted to the prestigious American Public Health Association (APHA). In her current role as vice-president of the Jamaican Museum and Cultural Centre (JMCC) — the first of its kind — Christine spearheads initiatives that blend cultural preservation with community enrichment. Most recently, she co-presented the JMCC’s educational school programme and serves as a distinguished judge for the Annual Fruit Cake Competition, fostering pride in Jamaican heritage. Christine’s commitment to public service is equally remarkable. She has been an active member of the Atlanta Jamaican Association (AJA) since 2011, serving on the board as parliamentarian for over five years and chairing the Family Relations Committee, where she organised the Annual Family Day event with great success. Beyond these roles, she has volunteered with organisations like Hosea Feed the Hungry and the DeKalb County School System, exemplifying her passion for uplifting communities. Her professional journey is rooted in healthcare and public welfare. After earning her credentials at Montego Bay Community College and LaGuardia College in New York, Christine entered the healthcare industry, navigating roles in pharmaceutical sales, medical and business administration, and community health. Christine’s rich Jamaican heritage inspires her work, which is deeply rooted in preserving culture and empowering others. Christine Marzouca: a multifaceted leader in community, culture, and healthcare. Christine Marzouca A multifaceted leader in community, culture, and healthcare MINNA LAFORTUNE is an independent reggae recording artiste busy working on her third studio album with a possible release date in June of this year. Her love for music and culture aside, her professional career is worth the envy of aspiring business women. She was The Jamaica Pegasus hotel’s first computer operations manager (1980-1986) and Junior Management Association president. In the USA, she became the Best Western Skyline Hotel’s first black woman front desk clerk (1986-1990) in New York City. In 1990, she became the MTA Bridges and Tunnels’ first female data analyst, monitoring its pre-E-Z Pass toll system. She founded/ directed her church’s first folk group, the African Caribbean American Singers (1992–2003), and in 2009, cofounded the Society for the Advancement of the Caribbean Diaspora (SACD), a non-profit entity, and has served as its president since. Minna LaFortune, blends music, culture, professional excellence IN THE real estate sector, women have made significant strides, breaking barriers and transforming the industry. This month highlights the contributions of women who navigate various obstacles to succeed in this field, showcasing their impact as leaders, agents, and innovators. Celebrating their achievements in real estate further emphasises the broader theme of empowerment and progress during Women’s Month, circumstances all too familiar for Sandra McCarty of Home Smart, NY In the early 20th century, women in real estate faced significant barriers. Trailblazers like Corrine and Cora Wright, a founding member of the Women’s Council of REALTORS (WCR), fought against gender norms to unlock opportunities for future generations. Their perseverance has laid the groundwork for the progress we see today. Fast-forward to the present, and the landscape of real estate has undergone a profound transformation. A landmark moment in 1973, when NAR admitted real estate sales associates, opened the floodgates for a wave of female professionals. By 1978, women had become the majority within the ranks of realtors, asserting their influence and leadership in an ever-evolving industry. Despite substantial achievements, women in real estate continue to face challenges such as ongoing pay gaps and gender-based biases. However, the resilience demonstrated by female professionals has led to shattered glass ceilings and substantial success in sales, innovation, and leadership. Women today are not only transforming norms but also becoming undeniable forces within the industry. Every story shared, every achievement highlighted, and every voice amplified reminds us of the incredible strength and potential within each woman. Sandra McCarty, MBA, SRS Probate Estate Specialist & Listing Real Estate Salesperson HomeSmart, Cross Island, NY. Source - Contributed Sandra McCarty Probate Estate Specialist & Listing Real Estate Salesperson AFTER EIGHT years, Renee Hastick-Motes is moving on and upward from the St John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway. As the senior vice-president and chief external affairs officer for Episcopal Health Services (EHS) since 2016, Hastick Motes spent her time at St John’s Episcopal Hospital working to improve quality of care and reverse years of disinvestment. Her efforts have ranged from securing funding for the hospital’s new labour, delivery, recovery, and post-partum unit currently under construction to founding the St John’s ICARE Foundation, a philanthropic entity created to support the hospital’s capital projects, special programmes, and give-back initiatives. “Her steadfast nature and vision are why the ICARE Foundation exists today,” the St John’s ICARE Foundation said in a statement. “Her commitment to better healthcare in the Rockaways helped improve EHS, and we are forever grateful to her. Even though she is moving on, her legacy at St John’s Episcopal Hospital and ICARE will live on forever!” While Hastick-Motes is moving on from EHS, she isn’t moving too far. Going forward, Hastick-Motes will serve as the new CEO of the Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Centre, a federally qualified health centre (FQHC) with locations in Red Hook (Brooklyn); Jamaica, and Rockaway (Queens) that provide health services for dentistry, family medicine, women’s health, and paediatrics, and serve more than 20,000 patients. “I am filled with gratitude and excitement for all that lies ahead,” Hastick-Motes said in a statement. Renee Hastick Motes – CEO, Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Centre, NY TO THOSE who know her, Joanna Marie Robinson is a sultry, sweet, soulful and vivacious female recording artiste, musician and songwriter, who delivers in both Spanish and English. She is of Jamaican and Venezuelan parentage. She first covered Again in 1994 for Kariang Records, a company based in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, later even performing two versions of the song; the Spanish version title – Otra Vez. Fast forward to 2025, and she is at it Again…her latest and best effort to date, enjoying heavy rotation on all major platforms, including Reggae Global Radio. Released in 1993, Again is a timeless ballad that hears Janet Jackson at her creative peak. It’s a song Joanna Marie has always loved and first covered 30 years ago. The South Florida-based singer takes two more cracks at the classic track with reggae and rhythm and blues renditions produced by her husband, fellow singer Ed Robinson. She speaks about her artistic vision which inspires her creativity because it encompasses the big picture surrounding her impulse to create. “Absolutely! Janet Jackson is an icon and an inspiration. Her ability to blend vulnerability, strength, and artistry is something I admire deeply. Covering Again was not just a tribute to her, but also a way to connect with a song that has touched my heart and the hearts of so many others,” said Joanna Marie, co-founder of Da Global Base, formerly Reggae Global Entertainment, and a woman who is among the best at what she does. - Contributed Joanna Marie Robinson, co-founder – Da Global Base THE WEEKLY GLEANER | MARCH 20 - APRIL 19, 2025 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | FEATURE
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